Monthly Archives: September 2015

The Impact of Sex on Heart Disease

2015-09-30

Those who suffer from cardiovascular disease (CVD) have to worry about a lot of things like their diet, exercise, their stress level and their sex life. Lots of us have read a news story or saw a scene in a movie where someone has died of a heart attack during sex. So is it safe for those with CVD to have intercourse? According to guidelines set by the American Heart Association (AHA) if your condition has stabilized, it’s probably safe to have sex. Glenn N. Levine, M.D. was the lead author on the association’s scientific statement on the matter. He is professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. Levine said sexual activity is an important quality of life issue for those wrestling with CVD and their partners. Those scenes where a heart attack during intercourse ends someone’s life are mostly fiction. In truth, such cases are extremely rare.

Levine said that there are couples who avoid sexual activity even when it is safe to do so for fear of disturbing one person’s condition. “On the other hand, there are some patients for whom it may be reasonable to defer sexual activity until they’re assessed and stabilized,” he said. If you have severe CVD symptoms, seek treatment and wait to have sex until stabilization has occurred. Some people avoid talking to their doctor about their sex life when they have a heart condition. But this is an important conversation to have. Don’t wait for the physician to bring it up. Perhaps the doctor should. But he or she may be so preoccupied with other aspects that they forget to ask about it. If you have had severe CVD ask your doctor when it is okay to engage in normal sexual activity. Also discuss with him or her about taking part in a fitness program. Regular physical activity has been proven to lower the risk of complications after a heart attack, heart failure or cardiac rehabilitation. If you have experienced sexual dysfunction, speak with your doctor and see if it is related to your condition.

How Does Marijuana Effect Male Sexual Functioning?

Nearly half the states in the U.S. have legalized medical marijuana for serious illnesses. A handful of others have legalized recreational marijuana. Most medical experts agree that occasional consumption is safer than alcohol for adults if used in moderation, though not enough studies have been conducted to ascertain the actual health effects on the body.

Case in point, marijuana’s impact on sexual functioning, something that is a concern for the vast majority of men, is still debated. Lots of guys want to know how marijuana affects them, and if it’s use could lead to ED. That’s a tricky question. One study published in the journal Clinical & Developmental Immunology found that compounds in cannabis actually reduced the risk of erectile dysfunction. Here, Swiss researchers discovered that elements in marijuana targeted CB2 receptors. These are found throughout the body. One common cause of ED is a buildup of cholesterol which clogs arteries including those which cause the penis to become erect.

Here two cohorts of mice were used. One received treatment with cannabis the other was a control group. After a period of three weeks each mouse was tested for fibrosis or tissue buildup that inhibits normal blood flow. Those exposed to marijuana had far less buildup than those who did not. But the debate as to whether marijuana use causes or cures ED remains ongoing. Other research has focused on the short-term results. Though many consider it an aphrodisiac, other studies have shown that elements in cannabis interfere with the CB1 receptor which may inhibit the creation of an erection.

A previous review published online in 2011 in the in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that long-term marijuana use may lead to sexual dysfunction in men. But these investigators also admit that there were few, high quality studies to choose from. One experiment involving rhesus monkeys gave researchers an indication that pot smoking could cause ED. Still, more research is sorely needed for a definite answer can be reached. With a trend toward liberalization, one hopes definitive results shouldn’t be too far off.

Men’s Health Thursday: Sex Must Last For Hours And 9 Other Lies Porn Tell

2015-09-22

Have you ever considered the fact that if real life were anything like porn, we won’t ever get anything done because we’d be so caught up with spending much time into giving in to our sexual desires.

The truth is real life is nothing like what you see in pornographic movies simply because movies are nothing but ‘make-believe’. Thinking that you can have sex for hours on end is the biggest lie yet told by pornography. Sex never goes that long as the actors are either on performance enhancing drugs and/or several editing of the film tapes are done. Men in the real world are nothing like porn actors and by the time you’re done with this article, you’d agree that the myths surrounding porn aryou’d agree that the myths surrounding porn are nothing but lies.e nothing but lies.

Men love facials

Again and again you’d see male actors in porn movies ejaculating on the face of their partners which may be cool sometimes except when you have to stroke yourself for a couple of minutes while the lady waits. The lie that she enjoys it is preposterous as no woman wants your murky fluid all over her face and neither do you want her staring at you while you make weird faces as you ejaculate.

Have you watched those crazy porn videos when a man has about five women trying to jump on him all at once? How’s that even possible when you only have one penis? The truth is you wouldn’t even know what to do with so much pile of bodies all around you if you ever find yourself in such situation.

Men want to have sex with every uniformed person

Ok, this one might be a little bit true but if you do find yourself in a hospital and need some urgent medical attention, the paramount thing on your mind would be to have a health care professional attend to you in a way that you’d become healthy rather than have someone trying to have you jerk off.

All men are handsome

Every porn actor is usually hotter than normal real men you encounter on a daily basis. We all have hair in weird places and even if we pay considerable attention to our physical appearance, we still eat junk food and quite a number of us don’t care how our abs look like.

All men have large penises

Like seriously? This may not be a full lie but it does grave injustice to the actual size of male penises. Not everyone is as huge down there. More so, it’s not the size that matters but how you make use of what you have, right?

Pornography seems to portray men as crazy, horny and sexual bulls. Porn movies make you believe that if you want a one-night stand, all you have to do is order for food and the delivery man comes in handy. Or you could just take a stroll outside and hookup with any horny girl. In reality, men aren’t on the lookout for sex 24/7. Sometimes we wish it were that way, but that would be exhausting and dangerous.

Blowjobs are always involved
Porn makes you believe that every sexual encounter must involve blowjobs. From lame conversation to three seconds of boob mashing, then five minutes of blowjobs (simply because the man has to be excited and ready to go before sex), followed by a lot of vagina penetration which the girl is totally into simply because the blowjob was a major turn-on for her. That’s just what they make you believe sex is and everyone seems cool with that except the normal cool dudes out there.

Do it everywhere
Porn makes you believe you can have sex everywhere and at anytime without a care of what anybody thinks. You’d have to be a fool to believe this is possible in reality and if you do, you’d probably have a date with law enforcement agents or better still stomach the embarrassment of being a subject of public ridicule.

Shove it anywhere
Don’t ever believe that cliché that porn portrays that the sex feels good because you’re creating lots of friction by putting your penis in a tight grip of muscles. No! Vaginas maybe gaping chasms which you can easily penetrate but the portrayal by pornography that you can penetrate from every angle without resistance is a façade. There are angles through which you porn makes you believe you can penetrate that will do more harm than good to you and your partner.

Change positions at least 5 times
Yes. You can have sex from an array of sexual positions but believing you can have them all at once is false to say the least. You’d probably be so caught up with having sex with your partner from a particular position that by changing positions, you interrupt the normal sexual flow.

The moral of all of this is: Learn to do things at your own pace without the bearings of a pornographic material acted by people on performance enhancing pills.

Debby Herbenick, one of the survey’s researchers and an associate professor at Indiana University, told Mic that “the vast majority” of young men enjoy cunnilingus quite a lot. “In new, not-yet-published data from a recent college student survey I conducted, 64% said [they enjoyed performing oral sex] ‘very much’ and 24% said ‘somewhat,'” Herbenick said.

Men’s reasons for loving a little tongue action are manifold, but they mostly stem from the same fundamental (and not totally shocking) truth: Women like being eaten out, making that in itself a worthwhile pursuit. For many especially enthusiastic men, though, cunnilingus is about way more.

Mic asked millennial men why they enjoy performing oral sex on their female partners, whether they think it’s important to having a vibrant sex life and whether they think they’re any good at going down.

Here’s what they had to say.

Mutual pleasure is the best pleasure.

With age comes maturity, and with maturity comes the knowledge that sex usually just isn’t as fun when only one partner gets off. One of the primary reasons men say they love giving oral sex is partly selfish: Making women feel good makes them feel good.

“I only get off if my partner gets off. It’s a two-sided coin, and I don’t want to have sex to solely get my rocks off. I fully enjoy watching a woman enjoy my skills.” — Curtis*, 31

“I think part of it is getting some vicarious pleasure through my partner. Knowing that it’s hot for them turns me on, and eventually just the act itself turns me on. I like to imagine what it must feel like.” — Alec*, 24

“The best sex is where both partners give and receive, and both partners take control and take a back seat at different points. I feel like mutual oral sex is a big part of that.” — Robert*, 23

It makes sex more intimate.

Getting up close and personal with a vagina is an extremely intimate act. That intimacy often translates to the rest of a sexual encounter, which can improve a couple’s overall chemistry.

“I love [giving oral sex] because it seems to be one of the most pleasurable things you can do for a woman. To hear and feel her reactions from that incredibly intimate point of contact is both bonding and super sexy, for me.” — Logan*, 22

“[Going down on a woman] is awesome. Especially when the sexual, physical and spiritual connection is there, it’s like two bodies connecting and expanding into a universe of sensation. It’s just all around awesome.” — Alan*, 33

Sometimes, oral sex is the only way women get off.

Many men have learned by now that many women can’t orgasm from penetration alone (as few as 7%, according to one estimate). That makes oral sex all the more crucial to a mutually fulfilling sex life.

“[Giving oral sex] is a key piece of being an all around good lover. Some women prefer or need penetration to reach orgasm, but I have found that many prefer cunnilingus and clitoral stimulation to get there.” — Simon*, 26

“It really turns me on. I love the actual act of it; the smell, the taste, etc. It’s also the most reliable way to make a woman orgasm. Most of the women I’ve been with said they find it hard or impossible to orgasm purely from sex.” — Zachary*, 33

Receiving oral sex can make partners more relaxed and open-minded.

That said, not all men are willing to perform oral sex — which means some millennial women who haven’t previously had partners who want to go down might view it as an adventurous new act. Tackling this new adventure can make many women more open to trying other new things during a sexual encounter.

“I notice that sex tends to be more fun — wilder, dirtier, rougher — if I kick things off with cunnilingus.” — Martin*, 27

“If you get good at going down on a girl, the sex is more intense. They are more relaxed, which is always good if you want to try other things. I don’t know a guy who wouldn’t want to have lots of sex with a girl that loved to get off. So help her get off!” — Curtis

“I don’t ‘give to get’ but I do think that being able to pleasure your partner better improves both people’s pleasure.” — Ricky*, 23

It gets her in the mood to get down to business.

Cunnilingus before intercourse can significantly improve both partners’ experience because, to put it simply, it’s better when it’s wetter. (Plus, she’ll probably be more inclined to reciprocate, if you’re into that sort of thing.)

“In a long-term relationship, the sight of your dad bod, which she has seen literally thousands of times, is not going to be enough foreplay to make penetration enjoyable. Cunnilingus goes a long way in bridging the gap between a man’s ‘instant on’ and woman’s need to gradually build up to sex.” — Christian*, 26

“Nothing has gotten me laid more than going down first, without any goading or suggestion.” — Blake*, 28

“There’s a noticeable difference in the quality of sex if the order is rip off clothes and go down. I feel like women get so used to dudes just lying back and expecting head that it becomes routine and a little boring, despite it being inherently new and exciting.” — Martin

Being good at going down can improve self-esteem.

We all like being good at things. (Remember how awesome it felt to get a gold star on that fourth-grade math test?) That sentiment also applies to sex: Being told how good you are at giving head is a pretty big ego boost.

“Guys generally worry about their dick size or sex skills, and would probably err on the side of caution that they are less than average at both (though they would probably never publicly admit it). If you become good at [giving head], you generally don’t have to worry about lacking in the other departments.” — Curtis

“I think it’s empowering because I take pleasure in knowing my partner is enjoying herself. It’s like, right in this moment, I have you completely. I like knowing I can take someone out of her own head. It makes me more confident in what I’m doing and usually means the rest of whatever we’re up to will be great.” — Martin

*Names have been changed to allow subjects to speak freely on private matters.

The secret sex lives of over 60s

It’s not often you see people over-50 having sex on screen. It’s so rare, in fact, that the sex scenes in 45 Years, the recent British film about the approaching anniversary of a retired couple, became one of the main talking points in its coverage.

And yet a sizeable minority of people continue to have active sex lives into their 70s, 80s and even beyond. A recent study found that a third of over-70s had sex at least twice a month. So why do we so often shy away from talking about or portraying something so common?

We should perhaps also reconsider what we think about as sexual activity A report published earlier this year found that those with a sexual partner tended to rate their quality of life as higher than those without one, although some have placed greater emphasis on relationship status and social engagement. When I interviewed a number of over-50s about their (heterosexual) sex lives for a qualitative study, I found that many who were still in sexual relationships rated them as very or extremely important.

The reasons for the participants’ emphasis on sex included strengthening their relationship with their partners but also pleasure. For some women, sex had improved with age, which they related to feeling more relaxed because they had more sexual experience and no longer feared becoming pregnant.

STIs in older people

Understanding the importance of sex to many older people has serious health implications. In the past, sexual health campaigns in the UK have focused predominantly on young people, who are more likely to have unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But now a growing body of evidence tells us that older people in developed countries are increasingly diagnosed with STIs.

STIs among the over-45s increased across different diseases between 2009 and 2013, from an 11% increase in genital warts in men aged 45-64, to a 500% increase in syphilis in women aged over 65. The majority of diagnoses of all STIs in the older age groups were in men, but gonorrhoea and syphilis were highest among heterosexual women and men who have sex with men.

As a result, some sexual health campaigns are now being aimed at older people. This year’s Sexual Health Week in the UK is focused on sexual pleasure and well-being – and one of the campaign’s five strands is aimed at educating professionals and the public about the sexual well-being of older people.

Campaigns that promote sexual pleasure are new, even though the idea of incorporating pleasure into sexual health materials is not. Young people in the UK are only just seeing such messages so it’s great that the sexual pleasure of older people is now being recognised too.

But infectious disease is only one factor that can affect pleasure and well-being. Long-term conditions and some sexual difficulties are more likely to be diagnosed in our 50s or later. These include erectile dysfunction, which affects around 30 per cent of men aged 65-74, and uncomfortable vaginal dryness, experienced by 20 per cent of women in the same age group.

Changing habits

Another potential obstacle to having sex and the pleasure that comes with it is the availability of a partner, which can be a significant issue for older people who have experienced widowhood or ill health. There is evidence that some older people are embracing technology and going online to meet potential partners for a sexual relationship. One survey found that 38 per cent of people aged 50-59 and 37 per cent of those aged 60-69 had met their partners online.

We should perhaps also reconsider what we think about as sexual activity when it comes to older people. For one thing, many older people engage in masturbation for sexual pleasure, countering the notion that it is a sexual act pursued only by the young. But there is also evidence that ideas about what activities count as sexual become broader as we age. For some, actions such as playing footsie under the breakfast table can give the intimacy that sexual activity previously had.

While research into the sexual well-being of older people is growing, there are gaps that wait to be filled, particularly the ways that ageing intersects with gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, disability and ethnic group. Exploring these areas will develop our understanding of sexual pleasure in older age, and better inform services for those to whom sex is important.

Share your thoughts: would you like a more open discussion about sex for over 60s? Do you think attitudes need to change?

Attention Men: Go To The Doctor

Guys, we need to talk. You lag behind women when it comes to getting health coverage according to the Census report. Not only that, you tend to shy away from health screenings.

And compared to women, you don’t have a regular clinician to go to when you’re sick or need medical advice. That’s according to the Journal of American Medical Association.

In other words, you’re not taking care of yourself. What gives?

“Men have, in general, this idea of strength and power and control,” said Dr. Tom Walsh, a urologist and the director of the Men’s Health Center at UW Medicine.

“The idea of losing control or taking time out of one’s busy day to actually see a doctor is part of a man’ s paradigm,” he said.

Walsh isn’t surprised with these findings. He said this pattern is also common in Europe and Australia. It holds across socio-economic groups.

He thinks it’s more than a time issue. Walsh said unlike men, women have been conditioned to see a doctor at an early age, starting in their teens.

“They’re introduced to somebody who helps begin screening them for what used to be a very dangerous cancer — cervical cancer — so that it’s very routine once women become in the post-pubertal arena where they would see a gynecologist… on a yearly basis for what was deemed to be an important screening.”

So when men do see a doctor, Walsh said it’s not usually to get screened, but for areas that impact their quality of life, like fertility and sexual health — things that the UW Men’s Health Center focuses on.

That was part of the idea of creating the clinic to begin with. Once they’re in the door, Walsh uses the opportunity to refer them to a primary care person for the routine stuff.

Walsh said there may be other reasons why men hesitate to seek care: it could be fear of bad news or a sense of resignation that doctors won’t do anything. But here’s something to consider: Men are more likely than women to have diabetes and high cholesterol. And men tend to die at a younger age.

Better Positions for a Small Penis

2015-09-01

Lots of guys feel insecure about their size. But research has shown that the vast majority of men are within the normal range. Many are really unaware of this. Most straight men don’t check out other men while they are naked. Even if they do, there’s no way to tell another man’s size unless he is erect.Though most guys are average in size, there are still millions of men that are less than average.But even these men shouldn’t fear. It only takes three to four inches to please a woman. Moreover, women work differently when it comes to sex. The most important thing is to invest in a lot of foreplay. Invest in her too. Find out what really turns her on. But once you get her there and it’s time for penetration, initiate positions which will favor your size. There are some positions that a man with a small penis can do that will give a woman more pleasure than if she was with a larger man. Here are some of those positions.

Try the doggie. Here a woman is on her knees with her thighs together. She should place her head and shoulders on a pillow and arch her back. Use your body weight and lean forward with each thrust. The more body contact you make the better it will be for her. The antelope is another good position. Both of you are arched over a piece of furniture say an easy chair or the couch. Spread her legs and enter from behind. This can be really satisfying, offering a lot of body contact and friction. The next position is called the rabbit ears.

Here you place her on the bed on her back. Lift her buttocks up and place a pillow underneath. Gently push her legs back until her knees are at the level of her ears. Help her keep her legs in place by using your arms. This position will give you deep penetration which should be very satisfying for both of you. Include clitoral stimulation to any of these moves and she’s likely to have an orgasm, and come back for more.

The Best Medications for an Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a frequent or sudden urge to urinate. Some even experience leakage, multiple episodes of nighttime urination or urinary incontinence. For many patients, OAB interferes with their daily routine and quality of life. Luckily there are lots of treatment options, including medication. First, the physician has to find out what is causing the issue. For older men, an enlarged prostate or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is often the cause. Here, ED medications are sometimes prescribed. Those who have M.S. or Parkinson’s may find OAB a symptom of their condition. Bladder stones or even cancer may also be at fault, so it’s important to see a doctor. A full examination and diagnosis must be completed before the appropriate therapy can be arrived upon. Depending on the cause, some physicians suggest trying lifestyle changes and behavioral therapy before taking medication as some people can experience side effects. Creating a bathroom schedule, keeping tabs on what you drink, watching what you drink, relaxation techniques and more can help. For some patients, a specific cause cannot be found.

If these lifestyle changes fail to curb the problem, medication is usually the next step. What are the best medications for OAB? There are generally two kinds. The first relaxes the muscles in order to allow urine to pass more easily out of the body. The second is the type that strengthens the muscles of the bladder which may have weakened over time. Anticholinergics are the most commonly prescribed class of drugs for OAB. These relax the muscles and stop the spasms which lead to urination. They do so by blocking the chemical messenger acetylcholine. Dry mouth is the most common side effect. Tricyclic antidepressants are also pretty commonly prescribed. They strengthen the muscles at the neck of the bladder helping to curb incontinence while relaxing other muscles, lowering the urge to go. Sleepiness is the most common side effect. Lastly, Botox has been used to neutralize some of the muscles in the bladder that cause OAB. Though effective, this is a new procedure and may not be covered by insurance. If you haven’t already, see your doctor and find out what is causing OAB and which treatment is right for you.

Erectile Dysfunction in Most Men Left Untreated

It is predicted that 322 million men around the globe will develop erectile dysfunction by the year 2025. But what exactly is ED? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) erectile dysfunction is defined as “the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.” Experts agree that lifestyle choices like diet and exercise have a lot to do with it. A poor diet and the tendency toward a sedentary lifestyle have elevated the risks. But the chance of developing ED only increases as a man gets older. Age-related body changes, conditions such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes and others increase the chances of decline in sexual functionality. Yet, even though ability has altered, studies have shown that desire remains. Also, sexual intercourse at any age can convey a whole host of physiological and psychological benefits. Conversely, dysfunction can have a negative impact on one’s mood and emotional wellbeing.

Advances in medical science have allowed people to live longer. Growing older brings with it its own health related issues and problems. Older men have less endothelial function for instance. This is the ability for blood vessels to dilate, such as the arteries of the penis which cause an erection. Add to that plaque buildup from a poor diet and ED is likely to occur. A recent study finds that today, 69% of men in the U.S. between the ages of 40 and 69 develop ED. 77% of men over age 70 experience such dysfunction. Older men also are more likely to have severe symptoms. Over half of those with ED had not discussed it with their doctor. 72% received no treatment at all. That’s a problem because erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of a more worrisome illness or mood disorder such as depression. There are lots of treatments available today. Anyone who has ED shouldn’t ignore it.